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More Information
Listed below are
the questions we get asked most frequently. If you have a
question that's not addressed below or needs clarification, please
call us at 650-557-1583 or e-mail us for more
information. |
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1.
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How old does my dog need to be?
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We accept
dogs at any age over 5 months. And, there is no such thing as "too
old"! We have had dogs as old as 11 and 12 years old that did
very well in class.
For
Puppies: All puppies should attend a puppy-only class starting when
they are between 12 -18 weeks old. Although we don't offer
puppy-only classes, we strongly recommend Sirius Puppy
Training. Sirius offers puppy classes in 17 locations
throughout the Bay area, including Pacifica. Click on this Sirius Puppy Training Link to get to their website, or
call them at 800-419-8748.
Puppy-only classes are VERY important to give your puppy the
right start in life. This is because they consist of more
than just behavior training. The puppies get to play offleash
so that they can learn how to "work & play well with
others". Even if your puppy gets along well with other dogs
in the house, it's important that he or she learns how to play and
communicate with strange dogs also. In
addition, Sirius puppies get the opportunity to socialize with
other humans in the class so that they are more likely to be
comfortable with other people later in life. |
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2. |
How much does class cost, and what payment methods do you accept? |
Basic I Training costs
$160, Basic 2 Training costs $140, and Growly Dog Class costs $250.
NOTE: Growly Dog class
requires a $100 deposit to reserve your space.
Payment can be made in
the form of cash, check, money order, or credit card*.
You may either mail your payment to us, drop it off at Pacifica Pet Hospital, or bring it to the first night of class. *Currently, we can only accept credit cards if you pay in person at Pacifica Pet Hospital prior to coming to class. COMING SOON! If you
wish to pay online by credit card, bank account debit, or PayPal, you will be able to do so via our Shopping Cart which will be at the bottom of the Register &
Pay page.
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3. |
How many dogs are in each class? |
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We limit class
size to six dogs to ensure that you get the personal attention you
need to succeed. Also, there are usually two class assistants
in addition to the trainer, so there are only two dogs per trainer,
a ratio hard to find elsewhere! |
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4.
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What are the pre-requisites for all classes?*
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- All dogs must
be 5 months or older.
- All dogs must
be current on rabies and distemper/parvo vaccinations and owners
must be able to show proof of vaccination.
- Large dogs who are are aggressive towards people
may not participate.
- Large dogs with dog-dog aggression or reactivity
will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Call or e-mail for
more information.
- Even if the dog is the primary responsibility of
a child in the home, an adult 18 or older must accompany every dog
to each class.
- We only allow one dog per person in
class.
- All family members are welcome and encouraged to
attend.
- We do not allow choke, shock, or pinch collars
in class. If you have difficulty controlling large, excitable
dogs, many new tools on the market (such as the Gentle Leader,
Sensation Harness, and Easy-Walk Harness) are both more effective
AND more humane.
* Please note that some classes may have additional pre-requisites - please see the Class Descriptions Page for more information. |
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5.
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May other family members attend class with me?
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Absolutely!
In fact, we recommend it...you will see better results when the
whole family is getting the same message and is training in the
same way, consistently. It's less confusing for the dog this
way! There is no additional charge for extra family members,
but there is an additional charge to bring a second dog to
class. Call or e-mail if you'd like to register
two dogs for the same class. |
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6.
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What do I need to bring to class? |
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The first night of
class is Orientation. This night is for people only.
You will learn about how dogs learn, we will discuss what will be
covered in class, and will give you exercises to practice at home
before Week 2 when dogs attend for the first time. You only
need to bring payment (if you haven't made a deposit) and proof of
your dog's vaccinations.
We will brief you on Orientation night about what to bring to
class therafter. |
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7.
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What will we learn?
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You will learn how
to train your dog; your dog will learn a variety of obedience
commands. The techniques you learn in our class can be used
to teach your dog anything you would like him or her to do.
Specifically, you will learn how to teach your dog to: sit,
lay down, stand, stay, wait at the door, pay attention, settle,
leave-it, walk on a loose leash, and most importantly to come when
called. Some simple behavior problems may be addressed in
class, but we don't have the time available to address complicated
behavior problems. These problems often require private,
one-on-one consulting. We work with many excellent behavior
consultants in the Bay Area and will be glad to provide you with a
referral if needed.
Also, most classes do NOT get the chance to socialize
off-leash. When the class dynamic allows, we may do some
off-leash play time, but this decision is up to the trainer
depending on the dogs present. Safety of all dogs in class is
our primary concern. This said, attending a class in the
presence of other dogs can sometimes be a good first step for dogs
who are under-socialized. If you have questions about
socialization please contact us. |
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8.
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What type of training methods do you use in your classes?
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We believe
strongly in being benevolent leaders for our dogs. This means
that we use only non-aversive techniques such as lure-reward and
clicker training.
We feel, strongly, that you can have a well-trained dog without
punishment or hurting the dog, and that FUN is important!
After all, if you and your dog don't enjoy training, you'll be less
likely to do it, and will be less likely to have a happy,
well-behaved companion. We know that you will find our
methods fun AND effective! |
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9.
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How do I register for class?
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You may sign up
for our classes one of three ways:
- Fill out the
online registration form (see the tab marked "Class Registration ")
- Call us at
650-557-1583
- E-mail us
- Fill out a
registration form* and mail or deliver in person
to:
Pacifica Pet Hospital 4300 Coast Highway Pacifica, CA
94044. |
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